Giving A Senior A Seat On TheBus

I am a senior citizen who relies on TheBus. I have a small shopping bag on wheels, which sits very comfortably in front of me on the bus. The problem is I cannot sit in the “senior” section with my back against the windows because I get motion sickness. Many times I will go down the aisle and someone will be sitting on the outside seat, leaving the window seat empty. I stand and stand and no one offers to move in so I can sit.

This morning, a kind lady asked, “Would you like to sit down?” I thanked her and took the seat. Later when a large group of students boarded the bus, this kind lady tapped the shoulder of the woman sitting in front and said, “Why don’t you move over so this boy (carrying a load of books) can sit down?” The woman said “I don’t speak English good.” Later that same woman was talking perfect English on her cell phone.

In this world of selfish, inconsiderate people, it is wonderful to find caring people who understand common courtesy.

Kathy Smith

Kaneohe

Dear Kathy,

No one can infuse these dummies with a shot of compassion, but perhaps a polite question would alert them to your need - perhaps, “I have to sit on the outside because of my shopping bag. Would you mind very much moving over?” If that doesn’t work, TheBus advises you to ask your bus driver for assistance. As a senior citizen, you are entitled to an open seat.

Aloha, Pamela,

In Wailuku, Maui, a few weeks ago, my wallet and my traveling companion’s package of manju were left on a seat in the Hawaiian Air lounge. Neither of us missed them as we got on the plane, so you can imagine my shock when a flight attendant handed them to me in my seat before takeoff! The flight crew said that someone with the ground staff had found them and tracked me down to my seat. Big mahalos to honest people with the spirit of the Islands!

Nola Buffins

Hawaii Kai

Dear Nola,

Calvin Arakaki of Hawaiian Airlines Customer Service Kahului is the person who made sure you got your wallet and manju. “We serve about 15,000 people a day and things like this happen all the time,” says HA’s Keoni Wagner. “Calvin’s a good example of employees at Hawaiian. They care about their customers on a personal level.”

Dear Pamela:

I was enjoying a stroll on Nimitz Beach at Barbers Point when I had a sudden bout of heat exhaustion. An off-duty police officer from the Kalihi Substation was there with his family and came to my aid. He gave me medical advice and stayed by my side for at least 30 minutes until I was well enough to head for my home in Waipahu. His kindness will be remembered, and all of Hawaii should be proud of his actions. I was in no condition to carry on a conversation at the time, and he didn’t offer his name. He was driving a gray VW and had two young children.

Ben F. Davis

Waipahu

Dear Ben,

The officers at the Kalihi substation can’t identity your off-duty policeman. The car he was driving probably belonged to his wife. On behalf of all the officers, they accept your thanks.

(If you know someone who deserves some Applause, send your letters to Pamela Young, MidWeek Applause, KITV, 801 S. King St., Honolulu, HI, 96813 or e-mail pyoung@kitv.com. Include your name, phone number and, if possible, the phone number of your “applaudee” so we can contact him or her.)